City Moves Ahead With Reverse-osmosis Water Plant

City commissioners voted May 5 not to pay $6 million due to Palm Beach County May 6 for water reserves and instead move forward with a reverse-osmosis water treatment plant.

A 4-1 majority on the Lake Worth commission chose not to honor a contract with the county that would have reserved 2 million gallons a day and provided a back-up supply for 40 years.

"We really don't need that reserve if we've going to move forward with our reverse-osmosis plant," said Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill, who voted with the majority. "We owe that money tomorrow for 40 years into the future."

Mayor Jeff Clemens cast the dissenting vote. "My only worry is we start moving in a direction here and don't give ourselves any options," he said.

The reverse-osmosis plant is projected to be completed by 2012 and estimated to cost about $25 million. Some residents at the meeting May 5 spoke in favor of the city's retaining control of its water resources rather than relying on others.

As the region struggles with drought, Lake Worth has been ordered to reduce water withdrawals from its wells by the South Florida Water Management District.

One short-term option to meet water needs could be striking a deal with West Palm Beach for water, but Clemens said residents he knows there don't like the taste, color and frequent health department monitoring.

In the meantime, Lake Worth plans to try to sort out its problems with the county in a dispute-resolution process.

County officials will study the latest information and take appropriate steps, said Brian Shields, deputy director of the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department. He did not specify what those steps might be.

Commissioners asked city staff to explore options and costs for the reverse-osmosis plant, as well as to look at ways the city could encourage residents to use water more efficiently, such as rain barrels and smart landscaping.

Commissioners decided not to look further at other options, including privatization of its water utility.